Steel-wool machine



Nov. 23, 1926. 1,608,479

c. FIELD STEEL wooL MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 1 NNN@ Nov. 23, 1926.

c. FIELD STEEL WOOL MACHINE Filed Dec. 1 1924 @fm-v lMlm...

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C. FIELD STEEL WOOL MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1924 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR Nov. 23, 1926. 1,608,479

c. FIELD STEEL wooL MACHINE Filed Dec. 1 1924 4 Sleaets-Sheetl 4 INVENTOR w@ fie/d Patented Nov. '23, 1926.

UNITED ,STATES CROSBY FIELD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

STEEL-WOOL MACHINE.

Application filed December 1, 1924. Serial No. 753,052.

My present invention relates to metal Wool machines of the type in which several successive cutters operate simultaneously to lcut metal Wool from a' wire which is reeled back and forth lengthwise ofthe machine. Machines of this type commonlyT employ two lines or sets of the successive cutters, those of one set being oppositely directed from those of the other andthe appropriately directed set being shifted laterally into engagement ivith the Wire when the direction of reeling ofthe wire is reversed. Usually there is a separate cutter holder for each cut-ting blade, one cutter holder of each set beng mounted on a stand. Each stand is adjusted laterally on independent adjusting means, which is individually operated both tor the above directed bodily shift of sets of cutters when the direction of the Wire is reversed andalso for individual edgewise shift ot any blade -whenever the' Working portion ot its cutting edge becomes too dull. y One object of my present invention is to greatlyl increase lthe number ofl cutters that 25. may be employed for simultaneous operation on a bed of given length. Another object isto greatly-reduce the number of movej ments that areqequired to make the necessary adjustments yof the cutters. particularly when the direction of -the Wire is reversed.

On novel featureinvolves arranging both of the sets ofpppositely facing cutters in the same vertical plane of the'wre andv shifting the sets vertically instead of laterally,

when the direction of the Wire is reversed,

lateral shift being 4used'only` for the-individual shift which is necessary Whenever the workingjportion of a blade. becomes too/ dull. Preferably, the oppositely directed cutters 10 are not only inthe same plane. but they are also in the same straight line and this makes possible 'a very desirable feat-ure which consists in formingthe oppositely directed cuttcrs V(in-opposite ends of a single blade.

Such single blade with two working ends, 'orthe equivalent two-piece blade, is mounted in a single cutter holderwhich is adjustably rockedon a horizontal axis. vboth for `universal shift of thefsets of cutting edges when the direction of the Wire is reversed, and also for the purpose of'varying the depth of cut ofthe individual blades during operation.

' Preferably, the cutter lblades projectyequal distances on oppositesides of the-vert1ca1 -plane of the yaxis of the cutter holder. The

transverse, shift of the blades is accom- 'is preferable that they do so.

'mandy by the inertia of the parts and by the' ifriction of the above described lradius members, connecting bar and means for putting all of them under stress tending to increase such friction. Y

The depth of cutting of all of the tools may be simultaneously manually 1regulated by a skilled operator, this result being preferably accomplishedby using a universal shifting mechanism for the tools which may be frictionally held With the tools inaany desiredposition of adjustment, the operator skillfully shifting the common knife control 'member just far.l enough to bring most of the knives into proper cutting relation with the wre. There will usually be two or three knives of the set that the operator will have to rectify for sliallower or deeper cut, by tine adjusting mechanism, superposed on the universal shift. In other words, the means for finely adjusting each individual knife vis entirely independent of the universal. shift which is operated only when the direction of movement of the Wire is reversed.

` For cutting the best qualityof steel Wool, the angle of the knife to the Work should be about 16. There is, however, a Wide tolerance from a minimum of 11 to a maximum of about 26. Consequently, the blades do not have to project equal distances from the pivotal 'axis of the blade holder although it i This tolerance also permits the blades to be shortened a number of times by sharpening Without materially A further feature of importance in this con- Anection is the means tor elevating the bed ai'ecting the quality of the product.

of the machine to bring it closer to the blade holder and consequently reduce .the cutting angle. Even after the bed has been raised to a maximum height. and the cutters reduced bygshortening to Va minimum length, the samecutters may be' used by shiftmg themin their holders each time that the drection of movement of the wire-is changed. This manual shifting adjustment of the blades, while not intended to be used in the -blocks 17 are aoco ordinary course of operation is nevertheless desirable because it practically eliminates the possibility of having to stop operation due to difficulty in obtaining new blades of the. proper length. ,l

The specilic'material which I prefer to employ is steel wire or material of circular cross section such as is commonly supplied in bundle coils. '.lhc machine, however, is capable of operatm on steel or other material in other forms, such for instance as metallic wires, rods and bands of triangular, rectangular or other polygonal cross section and in fact may operate under some.circumstances.on plate or sheet material.` In so far as the present invention is concerned, the machine is capable of operating'on materials'othcr than the steel and of grooving for purposes other than the production of the specific product above men-` tioned.

The invention may be more fully undcrstood from the followingl description in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a 'view in side elevation of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig.. 2 is a' fragmentary top Vplan view thereof;

Fig 3 is a fragmentary view mainly in longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;'

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the staggered line 4P-4 of Fig. 3.`

The machine includes a substantial frame work in the nature of a pair of two legged stands 10, legs 10 of the stands carrying endvvise projecting brackets '11 in which the reels 12 are borne. Supported upon the 'stand 10 and set somewhat back from the front edge thereof are the ends of a pair of beams 13 supporting a table 14 and extending longitudinallytof' the table, I provide a pair of parallel spaced tool holder frame bars 15 of substantial thickness. The forward frame bar 15 is arranged fairly7 close to the front of the table and is abuttcd by the rear face of a longitudinally extending bed bar 16 having a .irved upper edge which is highest at thecentr of the table. The bed mfnodated in a groove 18 in the bar, 16 and are formed with shallow wire receiving grooves 19 in their upper i' against engw'se movement in the groove by surfaces. Blocks 17 are curved in conformityl with the 'curvature of the bed bar, are vertically adjustable in the groove 18 upon supporting screws 20, and may be locked set screws 1. The reels 12 `serve alternatelyv as traction and'supply reels, the Wire 22 being dragged from one to thev other over the bed," Due tothe curvature of the bed and the fact that the reels are disposed below the level of the table, a downward stress will always be exerted'on the wire stock to hold it firmly against the bed blocks. Any suitiable number of straightening rolls 23 may be employed at the ends of the table to prevent kinking of the stock. I have not illustrated the mechanism which -is used forrotating lthereels and edecting lateral feeding thereof for wire coiling purposes nor have lshown means for reversing the feed and direction of rotation nor the releasable friction brakes whereby the supply reels offer proper resistance for maintaining a suitable tension on` the wire to prevent overrunning,

since all such mechanism is entirely conven.

tional in machines of this character and any means for rotating and reversing reels and causing them to draw the wire under tension will serve the purpose of`the present invention.v

A series of transversely disposed tool holders 24 have parted rotary mounting in the frame bars 15. These tool holders are in the nature of shafts journaled in bushings 25 in the front frame bar and including en,

larged rear ends 26 rotating in bearmgsur`27 in the rear frame bar. The ends of the tool holders project beyond the front frame bed and over the bed and projecting ends are formed with open ended tool holding slots 28 adapted to receive the grooving tools or l knives 29. The bottom of the slot is in a plane parallel withfthe wire and serves as an aligning guide with which a side edgeA of the blade contacts. The transverse axes of the tool holders areparallel and are disposed on an Larc approximately parallel vto -the curvature of the upper surface cf the bed bar 16 so that the distance between each of'said axes and the surface of the bed is approxi- Imately the same; Consequently, for tools of similar length mounted in the holders the. cutting angle relative to the work will be approXimately the. same.

A feature of double acting cutting tools .in the naturev of the invention is the use of plate-like members having grooved lower roughly centered in` the vholders with their Y two ends projecting from opposite sides of the slot. 28 and held by clamping screws. 32. The slot 28 is located below the axis of the holder so that the thrust of the wire on the cutter is nearly in the plane of the axis of the holder 24. A'It is obviously desirable that the tools be. fairly accurately centered in the slots so that the cutting angle of the tool relative' to the wire willbe the same regardless of which end of the tool is use-d or which way the wire is running, but inasmuch as atolerance of 15 is ermissible, this centering does not,have to be ab-A being f and curved on the same-arc f tools when the direction of movement of the wire is reversed. Such mechanism includes a universal shift bar 35 extending longitudinally of the machine between the frame bars as the *bed The projecting rear ends of bushings provide a mounting for pairs pf rectangular radius plates 36 spa-ced apart by collars 37 and pivotally connected at their the universal shift bar twe-en them.

upper ends with whichrpasses be- All of the pairs of radius plates are of th'e same length and thelrelative posi'- tions of their two pivots maintain all of the pairs in absolute parallelism. A pivot pin 38 loosely entering aligned openings 39 and 40 in the shift bar and plates affords the necessary pivotal connection with the universal shift bar and the pivot pin is held in place .by a keeper 41 secured to the face of the rear plate 36. Approximately three quarter 4cylindrical spacers 42 around the enlarged ends 26 of the tool holder shafts betweenl the rear block 15 andthe rear radius plate 36 maintain the forward radius plates 36 pressed into close frictional engagement with the rear fac-e of the front fra-me bar 15.-

Brackets 43 secured to the tops of the pairs of radius plates `36 include, overhanging rear edges 44 mounting pairs of adjusting screws 45 which work against opposite ends ofh'ardenedx steel' tilting levers 46 secured at. their7 intermediate portion as by a screw 47, to the enlarged ends of tool holder shafts 24.

Screws-46am for the purpose of individual rotary adjustment of the tool holders independently of the simultaneous adjustment obtained by the universal shift bar andit will be seen that adjustment in either direc- -tion `may be effected by tightening on one screw and backing off on'the other. The plates 36have preferably a rather tight fit with the bushings 25 -upon which they are pivotally mounted and due to the `overhanging arrangementof the bracket 43 and the tendency of the adjustingl screws'45 to tilt -the plates 36 transversely and lift theml upwardly, a further friction is induced between the front radius, plate and the bar 15 and both radiusplates and their bushing. The frictional `resistance to movement of the links may be further increased by spacer members 37 `to bushing 35 in any other convenient manner. .This frictional resistance to the movement of the universal shift bar is quite important'because it 4permits the bar to be shifted to any desired extent as bv a lever 50 and lautomatically,retained in its shifted position. When a skilled operatorie reversing ,the knives after the direction -of movement of the wire has been reversed, he

moves lever 50 until approximately all of the knives have been brought. into light Contact ,with wire and theifrictioiaal engagement of plates 36 with the frame 'bar 15 will retain the shift bar in such osition until the lever is again operated.\ peration of the universal shift `will generally find one or more excessige. Furthermore, all ofthe bed bars may be elevated to decrease the angleand', if desired, even very short knives may be used and shifted back and forth in their holders upon each reversal of the wire. It will be noted that the upper surfaces of the` universal shift bar is of wavy or undulating' form, having high points at the pivots 38 and lowpoints intermediate said pivots, in order to provide clearance for the ends of the brackets 43 when the about their pivots.

Thebar 35 may be shifted endwise to` reverse the cutters, by applying en dwise stress to any portion ofthe bar or by pivoting any one of the radial brackets about its axis. Preferably, however, the leveris used and while such lever may have its/ rc of swing the same as those of pivots 38, I prefer the arrangement shown in Fig. 3,' where the'V lever hasits fulcrum located yabovethe bar .35 and pivoted to said bar as'at 51 in siich a way so that pivot 51 swings slightly downrward at the' time pivots 38 are swingingupward. vThearcs are short and of slight'eur I prefer to have the'interference stress least al.

at midstrok'e andl greatest when the parts adjusted for depth of.

of times before such angle becomes" plates 36' are swung iineswherein each tool was of izelos are in the extreme positions at either end ofV the reversing movement. With the latter arrangement all of the pivots are put under opkeying the i posing stresses. tending to take upalllooscness and to afford 'maximum frictional locking effect tending to hold the cutter holders rigidly when they are ine-ither of the works ing positions. V

' It will be understood that regardless? of whether or not the shiftlever has suchstress relation,

necessary.

,necessary at any time,

i steel tilting plates 46.

`th'e operator is necessary.

holders pivoted thereto are normally held 1n desired working position by inertia of the moving parts and also by their friction, par-l friction of the tool holding shaft ticu'l'arly hearings'by which it is supported ai in) the and friction against the side faces ofpthe radius plates. Y

A' further feature of the invention is the provision-of means for transversely shifting theqtool holders to present new portions of the cutting edge of any tool to the 'workand insure the utilization of the entire cutting edge ofthe tool before resharpening becomes The means for performingthis function is best seen in Fig. 4 and includes feed screws 60 working in threaded sockets 61 in the enlarged rear ends ot' the tool holders. The srews include shoulders 62 abutting plates 63 secured over the-openings 27 in the 'rear frame bar. shanksl of the screws pass through the plates 36 and rotate in sleeves 65 retained bv nuts .66. Each screw having bearings on the shoulder 62A and on the outer end of the opposite sides of the rotary axesof the holdsleeve 65. The squared extremities 67 of the screwcarry crank handles 68 which are rotated to eieCUtranSVegse feed of the tool holders. .Thistransverse feed may become and the powerful propulsion obtained by the engagement of the feed screw wit'h the holder is suiicient to overcome the slight friction of the rounded lower ends of the screws and the hard The steel wool cut by the machine falls to the door in front of the machine or into a.

suitable receptacle provided for this purpose,

sothat no plucking or pulling of the Wool by I claim: v 1. In a steel wool machine of the class described, a bed over Which a length of material to be' operated upon is alternately scribed. a bed over whi-c a length draggedin opposite directions, a. plurality of rockable tool holders mounted adjacent the bed, a set of groovin'g tools in the holders and meansv for rocking the holders to reverse the position ofthe grooving tool's,'sai means including a unitary tool shifting mechanism,

.Y In a steel .wool maclliline of theclass deof material. to be` operated upon is alternately lcc rockable ,too

dragged in-o v`osite directions, a plurality of e f and means for rocking the holders to reverse the position othe grooving tools, said means including a universal shift bar for simultaneously rocking all of the tool holders.

,. 3. In a steel wool machine of the class debed, over which a opposite directions, a series of reversible the bar 35 and all the knife The unthreaded dadapted t'o'lbe aiternately ers, a.l un-versa holders mounted adjacent the. bed,a vset of grooving tools in the'holders tools arranged over the bed to opcutting' tliestock, and means for simultaneerate on ously reversing the position of allot the having partial rotary movement, grooving tools in the holders, adapted to be moved 1nto engagement withthe work on the bedupon Vpartial. rotary movement of the holders` a universal tool shifting means for simultaneously rocking all of the holders and adjust- -sup'erposed omthe universal' ing mechanism shifting means, the angle and the tools.

5.111 a machine of the class described, a bed overl which alength of metal stock is adapted to be alternately dragged in opposite directions, 'a plurality of tool holders having partial rotary movement arranged for independently regulating above the bed, grooving tools secured in the# 'holders with their. cutting ends disposed on ers, a universal shift bar vfor simultaneously depth 'of cuttingof any or in opposite directions rocking all ofthe holders to reverse the position of the `tools when direction f the movement of the work is reversed.

6;,In a machinel ofthe:l class described, av

bed'over-which alength nf metal stock is adapted-'to be alternately dragged in oposite directions, `a plurality of toolholders avin-g partial s otary..l movement arranged above th bed, groovingrtool's secured in the holders Ewith their. cuttlng ends disposed on oppgsiteisides.ofthe-rotary axes'of the holderss iversal shift 'har v.for simultaneously rockin fall/of the holders-to reverse thepositiono the'jtools'whendirectionof theimovement o'f-thework'isreversed, a 4plurality ofl pivoted radius plates to Awhich the [shift bar 1s pivotally cdinettdan connectiirgth'ejradiis plates andthe tool holders. '3:3'. 'i' .1.; f,

7; In a' chine ofithegclass described, a bedovrw-hicha lengthfof metal stock is dragged in oposite directions,,aJ pluralityfof tool holders aving partial rotary'- xniirenient arranged above the.bed,'g roov in jt'oolssecured in the holders with 'their cutting ends disposed on oppesitesi'des of the reta v or" simultaneously rockingall of the holders td'reverse the position of the tools when direction or" the move'- ment (ef the work is reversed, a plurality of Jlilies of the holdf' (i1- means operatively ivoted radius plates to which the shift bar- 1s pivotally connected'and means' operatively connecting the radius plates and the tool holders, including tiltingfplateslixed to the tool holders, brackets secured to the radius" lates and thrustY'sc-rews carried by the brackets and engaging 'the tiltingI plates,

8.- Ina machine of the class described, a

adapted to be alternately dragged in opposite directions, a plurality of tool'holders aving partial rotary movement arranged above the bed, grooving tools secured in the holders with their cutting ends disposed on opposite sides Yof the rotary axes of the holders, a universal shift bar for simultaneously rocking all of the holders to reverse the gposition of the tools when direction of the movement of the work is reversed, a plurality' of pivoted radius plates to which the shift bar is pivotally connected and means operatively connecting the radius plates and the tool holders, including tilting plates fixed to the tool holders, brackets secured to the radius lates and thrust Screws carried `by `the bradlrets and engaging the tilting plates, said thrust screws constituting means for rocking the tool holdersto regulate their angle and depth of cutting independently of the universal shift bar.

J9. In a machine of the class described, a bed over which a length of metal stock is adapted to be alternately dragged in oppositel directions, a series of reversible l grooving tools arranged a ove the bed, rockingtool holders supporting the tools, a universal shift bar for simultaneously rocking all of the holders to reverse the positions of the tools and means frictionally opposing the movement of the shift bar whereby said tools may be retained in any angular 4position relative to the work.

10. A device of the class described in claim 9 wherein an individual angular adjustment of the tools is superposed upon the universal adjustment effected by the shift 11.v A machine of the class described, including a supporting bed over which a length of metallic` stock' isadapted to be alternately dragged in opposite directions, a`

tool .holder frame including an elongated frame plat/emounted adjacentthe' be r'otary4 tool holders 'yournaled in the frame.'

plate, grooving tools mounted in the holders, a universal shift bar for simultaneously rocking all of the holders, radius plates supporting the shift-bar, and operatively connected to the holders and means for causing the friction between they radius plates and `v the tool holder frame to oppose movement of thce -s'hift bar and permit all of the. holders Vto be retained inpany position of adjustment. L

12. In a machine of the class bed over whi h a lengt-h of metal stock is adapted to be lternately dragged in opposite directions, a plurality V'of grooving tools arranged above the bed, roclrable tool holders supportingthe tools mechanism for'rocle ing the tool holders to .reverse the grooving tools and means for feed-ing the holders swinging brackets ,v ythe tool to thework'. described, a

13. In a machine of thej class described, a

bed, over which a length of metallic stock is adapted to be alternately dragged in opposite directions, a plurality of rotatable tool holders arranged' adjacent the bed, cutting tools supported in the holders, tilting plates fixed to the holders and thrust screws engageable with opposite ends of the tilting plates to effect partial rotary movement of the holders.

14. In a machine of the class described, a bed over which a length of metal stock is adapted to be alternately dragged in opposite directions, a plurality of rotatably adjustable tool holders arranged adjacent the bed,y cutting tools in the holders, a universal shift bar for snnlltaneously o erating ,the holders, a l'ilnrality of pivote radius plates pivotally connected to the shift bar, said radius plates being of equal length and parallel toeach other, and means operative-` ly connecting the shift bar yand the tool holders.

15. A device of the class described in claim 14, wherein means is provided for frictionally opposing thepivotal movement of the radius plates to permit the shift bar to vbe retained in any position of adjustment.

1G. In a machine of the class described,

-a bed, over which a length of metallic stock is adapted to he alternately dragged in opposite directions, a plurality of rockable tool holders shafts journaled transversely of the bed, and constituting tool holders,

mung

plates fixed to the shafts,`thrust screws en f gaging opposite endsl of the tilting plates, carrying the 'thrust screws, and a universal shift bar. for simultaneously swinging all of the bracket-s to effv fect partial rotation of the shafts.

17.` A machine of thel class described, in-l cluding a bed over` which a length of metal Stock is alternately dragged in opposite directions, a series of reversible grpoving tools arranged above the bed, a tool holder frame extending longitudinally ofthe bed, transversely disposed tool holders rotatably mounted in the frame, tilting platesJ on the tool'holders, thrust screws engaging the tilting plates and Aoperable to effect rotational `adjustment of the tool holders and means `for shifting the tool holders axiallyto present new portions of the cuttingedge `of `stock'is alternately dragged in oppositedirections, said bed including a plurality of verticallyy adjustable bed blocks having grooves therein'for receivingl and guiding the stock, rotatable tool holders. having slotted tool holding ends projecting fver the bed and cutting'tools having their intermediate portions disposed in the. slots and their ends extending onopposite sides thereof.

19. A machine of the class described, includingfa bed', over which a length of metal stock is alternately dragged in opposite directions, said bed including a plurality of vertically adjustable bed blocks having grooves therein for receiving and guiding the stock, rotatable tool holders having slotted tool holding ends projecting over thc bed and cuttingtools having thelr intermediate portions disposed in the slots and their ends extending on opposite sides thereof, tilting plates on the tool h l s and thrust screws engaging the tiltinp ates to regulatetlie angle of cutting.

20. A machine of the class described, in`

cluding a bed, over which a length vof metal stock is alternately' dragged in opposite directions, said bed including a plurality-of vertically adjustable bed blocks having grooves therein' for receiving and guiding the stock, rotatable tool holders having slotted tool Vholding ends projecting overl the bed and cutting tools having their intermediate portions disposed in the slots, and their ends extending on opposite sides-thereof, tilting plates on the tool holders I(and thrust screws engaging the tilting plates vto regulate the angleV of cutting of the tools, and screw feed mechanism for axially shifting the togl holders transversely of the bed to present new portions of a cutting edge of a tool to the work.

21.A steel wool machine of the class describe-d, including a bed over which wire stock is adapted to be alternately/dragged -in opposite directions7 in combination with a linked pivotal system includig a plurality of rockably mounted tool ho ing knives in said tool holders, a universal shift bar operativly connected to all ofthe tool holders, parallel pivoted radius members of approxlmately equal radii pivotally; I

connected :to and supporting the shift' bar, and niveans for shifting the shift bar.

22. Asteel wool machine of the class described, including a bed over which wire ,g stock is adapted to be. alternately dragged in opposite'directions, in combination with a linked pivotal system includinga plurality of rockably mounted tool holders, groov- -ing knives in said toolholders, a universal shift bar operatively connected to all of the tool holders parallel pivot/ed radius members of approximately equal radii pivotally connected to and supporting the shift bar, and mea-ns for shifting the shift bar, lsaid lparts arrangedso that shift thereof sets up opposed mechanical stresses netti posed in anE arc approximately parallel to the'curvature of the bed, oppositely projecting vrooving knives mountedv in the tool holders and shift bar to which it is connected swinging on interfering arcs.

24. A machine of the class described'in claim 23 and wherein'the interference stress is increasingly reat toward the ends of the strokes of the s ift bar. i

25. A machine of -the class described in claimA 23 and wherein the interference stress is greatest at the time that' the weight of the having both ends in the longii `tudinal vertical plane-of the bed, means for simultaneously rotating all of the tool holdt swinging .parts acts most forcefully on the tools to force them intoengagementl with the work. v :y

26. A machine of the class described in claim 23 vand wherein the weight of v the swinging parts acts lto force the tools against, the workand said interference stress actsv counter to' said weight.

Signed at New York, in the county of Kings, and State of New JYork, this 26th 'day o'f November,-A. D. 1924. i

- CRQSBY FIELD. 

